Lagos Records 20% Drop In Fire Incidents, Saves N117bn Worth Of Property

By BENJAMIN OMOIKE 

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has recorded significant progress in fire safety, rescuing 450 lives and salvaging properties valued at ₦117.12 billion in 2024, following a 20 percent reduction in fire-related incidents across the state.

This was disclosed during the second edition of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference (LIFSC), held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. Themed “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire,” the two-day summit was convened by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations to spotlight innovations and community strategies in fire prevention.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the event, attributed the improvement in fire safety outcomes to increased investments in infrastructure, modern firefighting equipment, and sustained public advocacy efforts.

“In 2023, we responded to over 2,500 fire and emergency calls. That figure dropped significantly in 2024, and this is not by coincidence,” the Governor said.

“Our advocacy, communication, and engagement efforts are clearly working. Residents are becoming more conscious of fire hazards, and this reflects in the outcomes.”

The 2024 Fire Safety Report, presented by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margret Adeseye, indicated that out of 1,952 total emergency calls received, 1,607 were fire-related—representing a notable decline from the previous year.

Despite these gains, the agency reported 91 fire-related fatalities and an estimated ₦19.5 billion in unrecoverable property losses during the period under review.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted key initiatives that contributed to the improved emergency response, including the construction of 25 new fire stations across the state over the last six years, with four more nearing completion.

He also noted the procurement of over 60 standard fire trucks and essential firefighting kits within the past two years.

“Our goal is to bring emergency services closer to the people. Currently, we operate with a 15-minute average response time, but we’re working to reduce that to between five and seven minutes, which is the standard for a megacity like Lagos,” the Governor stated.

Among the innovations introduced is the deployment of drones for aerial surveillance and rapid fire source detection in high-rise structures. Additionally, the state’s Command and Control Centre is undergoing a major technological upgrade to improve real-time response and coordination during emergencies.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, emphasized the need for collective responsibility in fire safety, stressing that it must be a shared effort between government, private sector stakeholders, and the public.

“Fire safety is not the exclusive duty of government agencies. It requires the active involvement of individuals, communities, and organisations,” Oyerinde said.

In furtherance of its fire prevention strategy, the Fire and Rescue Service inspected 7,870 facilities in 2024 and issued 7,039 fire safety certificates to various establishments, including schools, hospitals, restaurants, and fuel stations.

Adeseye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enhancing fire risk assessment and response capacity, noting that while challenges remain, Lagos is steadily building a more resilient fire safety system.